Dispensing vessels

ABSTRACT

A drinking vessel comprising: an open-mouthed container; a lid for the open mouth of said container; and a rim or a rim-portion for a person to drink from; the lid at least partially defining a liquid outlet arranged below the level of the rim or rim-portion to allow liquid to flow from the interior of the container and over the rim or rim-portion as the drinking vessel is tilted; the lid having a support part extending partially across the open-mouth of the container and a closure flap hingedly connected to the support part across at least part of the open-mouth of the cup-shaped container, the closure flap being biased towards a closed position in which the closure flap closes the liquid outlet to prevent flow of liquid therethrough; there being provided a mechanism configured to move or deflect the closure flap against said bias to open said liquid outlet and permit the flow of liquid therethrough.

THE PRESENT INVENTION relates to a dispensing vessel, suitable fordispensing flowable contents. More particularly, a preferred embodimentof the present invention relates to a non-spill drinking vessel having acircumferential rim or rim-pinion from which a user can drink.

Trainer cups (that is a cup or mug provided with a lid having amouthpiece or spout associated therewith) are well-known and have beendesigned to bridge the gap between use of a baby's feeding bottle anduse of a normal cup or glass by a young child. Such a trainer cup willoften be a child's first step in learning to feed itself. As will beappreciated, young children have a tendency to knock or throw their cupsand even though the existence of the lid may reduce or at least delayspillage of liquid from the cup, it has previously been found to beadvantageous to provide a non-spill trainer cup.

A non-spill trainer cup is disclosed in EP0634922B1, which comprises amouthpiece generally in the form of a spout, and a membrane slit-valveprovided therebelow. This arrangement is configured such that themembrane slit valve will open upon the application of suction to themouthpiece by a person drinking from the cup, and the membrane slitvalve will thereafter reseal, to prevent inadvertent spilling from thecup.

However, the above-mentioned known trainer cup and other similardevices, whilst largely eliminating the problems associated withspillage, still rely upon the provision of a mouthpiece in the form of aspout activated by sucking, biting or suckling to activate flow, and soa young child using this type of cup is not taught how to drink in amore adult manner by using oral motor function to manipulate a bolus ofliquid from the front to the back of the mouth, and to drink from thecircumferential rim of a cup.

Also, because the above-mentioned known trainer cup and other similardevices have been effective in preventing spillages, many mothers relyon them for a continued period after their child's development, whichcould slow the child's advancement to drink from a conventional open cuphaving a rim. It is therefore desirable to provide an alternative typeof drinking vessel, which could be used by young children, but also byadults, for example for convenience when travelling or for use by theelderly or infirm, and which enables the child or person to drink fromthe cup in a more adult manner, but wherein the cup is stillsubstantially spill-proof.

It is also considered to be advantageous to provide a simple andattractive sealing mechanism for such cups which could, for example, beformed cheaply and conveniently from material such as paper orpolystyrene, to enable the entire cup assembly to be produced as asingle-use, disposable unit for use, for example, by the fast foodindustry. It is also envisaged that a similarly simple and attractivesealing mechanism could be provided on a dispensing vessel to dispenseflowable contents other than drinking liquids, for example powders andgranulated foodstuffs or the like.

The present invention therefore seeks to provide an improved dispensingvessel,

According to the present invention there is provided; a dispensingvessel comprising:

an open-mouthed container;

a lid for the open mouth of said container; and a rim or a rim-portion;

the lid at least partially defining an outlet arranged below the levelof the rim or rim-portion to allow contents of the vessel to flow fromthe interior of the container and over the rim or rim-portion as thevessel is tilted;

the lid having a support part extending partially across the open-mouthof the container and a closure flap hingedly connected to the supportpart across at least part of the open-mouth of the cup-shaped container,the closure flap being biased towards a closed position in which theclosure flap closes the outlet to prevent flow of said contentstherethrough;

there being provided a mechanism configured to move or deflect theclosure flap against said bias to open said outlet and permit the flowof said contents therethrough.

Preferably, said closure flap has a free edge and is arranged such thatwhen in said closed position, the closure flap extends from said supportpart to a position below the level of the rim or rim-portion where thefree edge releasably seals against an inner wall-surface of thecontainer or of the lid to prevent the flow of contents between theinner wall-surface and the closure flap; and wherein said mechanism isconfigured to move or deflect the closure flap from said closed positionsuch that its free edge becomes released from its seal against saidinner wall-surface, so as to permit contents to flow from the interiorof the container, between said inner wall-surface and the closure flap,and over the rim or rim-portion as the drinking vessel is tilted.

Advantageously, said inner-wall-surface is provided with an inwardlydirected formation against which said free edge of the closure flapseals.

Conveniently, said free edge is generally arcuate.

Preferably, said closure flap is generally dished in configuration.

Advantageously, said fold or living hinge extends generallydiametrically across the open-mouth of the container.

Conveniently, the outlet is defined between the lid and the container.

Preferably, the outlet is defined between the free edge of the closureflap and the inner wall-surface of a side wall of the container.

Advantageously, the raised circumferential rim or rim-portion isprovided on the container.

Conveniently, the raised circumferential rim or rim portion is providedon the lid.

Preferably, the lid is removable from the container.

Advantageously, the lid is formed integrally with the container.

Conveniently, the closure mechanism comprises at least one moveableelement arranged for actuation by the hand of a person dispensingcontents from the vessel.

Preferably, said moveable element forms part of the handle.

Advantageously, the handle is pivotally mounted to the lid or container.

Conveniently, the said moveable element comprises part of the containerbeing resiliently deformable, the arrangement being such that deformingsaid part of the container causes movement or deflection of said closureflap.

Preferably, actuation of the or each said moveable element causesdeflection or distortion of said fold or living hinge which, in turn,imparts said movement or deflection on said closure flap.

Advantageously, said rim-portion is provided as part of a spout ormouthpiece.

Preferably, the dispensing vessel takes the form of a drinking vessel todispense liquid contents from the vessel as it is tilted.

So that the invention may be more readily understood, and so thatfurther features thereof may be appreciate, embodiments of the inventionwill now be described, by way of example, with reference to theaccompanying drawings, in which;

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a dispensing vessel in the form of adrinking vessel in accordance with a first embodiment of the presentinvention;

FIG. 2 is an elevational view of the drinking vessel illustrated in FIG.1;

FIG. 3 a is a view corresponding generally to that of FIG. 2, butillustrating only the handle part of the drinking vessel;

FIG. 3 b is a side elevational view of the handle illustrated in FIG. 3a;

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the lid of the drinking vesselillustrated in FIG. 1, showing the lid in a first condition;

FIG. 5 is a perspective view corresponding to that of FIG. 4,illustrating the lid in an alternate condition;

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a dispensing vessel in the form of adrinking vessel in accordance with a second embodiment of the presentinvention;

FIG. 7 is an elevational view of the drinking vessel illustrated in FIG.6;

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of the lid of the drinking vesselillustrated in FIG. 6, showing the lid in a first condition;

FIG. 9 is a view corresponding generally to that of FIG. 8, illustratingthe lid in a second, alternate condition; and

FIG. 10 is a schematic view of an alternative component for use with thedrinking vessel illustrated in FIG. 6.

The embodiments described below are all drinking vessels intended to beused to dispense liquid. However, it should be appreciated that variantsof the invention could be used to dispense other flowable contents fromthe vessel such as, for example, granulated or powdered substances.

Turning initially to consider FIGS. 1 and 2, there is illustrated adrinking vessel 1 in accordance with a first embodiment of the presentinvention. The drinking vessel 1 comprises an open-mouthed generallycup-shaped container 2, provided with a removable lid 3 to close theopen mouth of the cup-shaped container 2. The lid 3 comprises a skirt 4sized to engage sealingly the uppermost edge of the cup-shaped container2. The lid 3 also has a raised circumferential rim 5 which, as best seenin FIG. 2, has a portion 6 thereof raised significantly higher than therest of the rim 5. It is intended that a person drinking from thedrinking vessel 1 will put his or her lips to the circumferential rim 5,and most particularly the raised part 6, and drink from the cup in thegenerally conventional manner, by tilting from the cup so that liquidflows from the interior of the container 2 over the raised rim portion6.

Also illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2, the drinking vessel 1 comprises anoperating handle 7 in the form (in this example) of a lever, which takesa generally L-shaped configuration as illustrated most clearly in FIG. 3b, with its larger limb 8 extending downwardly from the lid 3,substantially adjacent the side wall of the cup-shaped container 2, at aposition diametrically opposed to the raised rim portion 6 of the lid 3.The outermost surface of the major limb 8 of the operating handle 7 ispreferably provided with a plurality of raised ridges or contours 9 toimprove a person's awareness of and contact with the handle 7. Thesmaller limb 10 of the handle 7 extends generally across the lid 3towards the raised rim portion 6. At the junction between the large limb8 and the smaller limb 10 of the handle 7, the handle 7 is provided witha pair of outwardly directed spigots 11 which, as will be described inmore detail hereinafter, serve to mount the handle 7 pivotally to theupper part of the lid 3.

Preferably, the larger limb 8 of the handle 7 is at least partiallyreceived within a correspondingly-shaped recess 12 formed in the sidewall of the cup-shaped container 2, so that the handle 7 does notprotrude too far from the otherwise smooth surface of the cup-shapedcontainer 2.

As illustrated in FIG. 3 b, at approximately half-way down the main limb8, the handle is provided with a rearwardly and downwardly directedresilient finger 13 which is configured to bear against the innermostextent of the recess 12 within which the handle 7 is received.

In use, a person drinking from the drinking vessel 1 is able to operatethe handle 7 with the fingers of his or her hand being used to hold thedrinking vessel, actuation of the handle being effected by pressing themain limb 8 inwardly relative to the cup-shaped container 2, against theinherent bias provided by the resilient finger 13 bearing against therecess 12. Pulling the main limb 8 of the handle inwardly in this mannercauses the handle to pivot about its spigots 11 relative to the lid 3,thereby raising the smaller limb 10 of the handle 7 which extends acrossthe lid 3.

As also illustrated in FIG. 3 b, the innermost end of the smaller limb10 of the handle 7 is provided with a forwardly-extending flange 14spaced slightly below the undersurface of the smaller limb 10. Thefunction of this flange 14 will be described hereinafter in more detail.

FIG. 4 illustrates the lid 3 in more detail, with the handle 7 beingomitted. As mentioned previously, the lid 3 is provided with a skirt 4for engagement with the uppermost rim of the cup-shaped container 2, anda raised circumferential rim 5 also projects upwardly from the skirt 4,the raised rim 5 being significantly higher at its most raised portion6. The skirt 4, at its position diametrically opposite the raised rimportion 6, is provided with a recess 15 sized and configured to receivethe uppermost part of the handle 7, In this region, the raised rim 5 isalso cut away, and a pair of opposed bores or apertures 16 are providedextending into the raised rim 5, away from the recess 15. Each of theseapertures or bores 16 is sized and configured to receive a respectivespigot 11 extending outwardly from the handle 7, to provide a pivotalmounting for the handle 7 with respect to the lid 3.

Extending across the lid, there are provided two main parts. The firstof these parts is a support part 17 which, in a preferred embodiment ofthe present invention, takes the form of a generally horizontal wallportion. The support part 17 is sealingly and securely engaged(preferably co-moulded with) the innermost wall surface of the skirt 4and its associated raised circumferential rim 5. At a position spacedslightly inwardly of the recess 15, the support part 17 is provided witha downwardly and forwardly extending notch 1 8 which is sized andconfigured to receive the flange 14 carried by the smaller limb 10 ofthe handle 7, when the handle is pivotally mounted to the lid 3.

It is to be appreciated that the support part 17 is preferably mouldedfrom resilient plastics material which is arranged to deform slightly,but always to remain secured in intimate contact to (or integral with)the inner wall surface of the circumferential rim 5. It will thereforebe appreciated that actuation of the operating handle 7 by a personholding the drinking vessel 1, by pressing the main limb 8 inwardlyrelative to the cup-shaped container 2, causes the smaller limb 10 ofthe handle 7 to lift, pulling with it the central region of the supportpart 17, by virtue of the engagement between the flange 14 and the notch18. This causes the central region of the support part 17 to lift ordeflect in an upwards manner.

As illustrated in FIG. 4, the support part 17 extends only part-wayacross the open mouth of the cup-shaped container. The support part 17supports and is formed integrally with a closure flap 19 by asubstantially arcuate fold, crease or living hinge 20, The closure flap19 extends substantially completely across the remainder of the openmouth of the cup-shaped container such that its free arcuate edge 21(which extends from one end of the arcuate fold or living hinge 20 tothe other end of the fold or living hinge 20) sealingly engages theinnermost wall surface of the raised rim 5 of the lid 3.

In the preferred embodiment of the present invention, the radius ofcurvature of the arcuate free edge 21 of the closure flap 19 is greaterthan the radius of the circumferential rim 5 which, together with thearcuate configuration of the living hinge 20, causes the closure flap 19to adopt a concave configuration, in which it is dished inwardly of thedrinking vessel.

The present invention is not, of course, limited to an arcuate free edge21, and it is envisaged that the free edge 21 may be elliptical,parabolic, or any other suitable shape.

The closure flap 19 is preferably moulded integrally with the supportpart 17 from the same resiliently deformable material, and by virtue ofits inwardly-dished configuration, is resiliently biased to adopt itsinitial position substantially as illustrated in FIG. 4, in which thearcuate free edge of the closure flap 19 sealingly engages against theinner side wall of the lid 3. However, it will readily be appreciatedthat, should the free edge 21 of the closure flap 19 become disengagedfrom the inner wall surface of the lid 3, then a liquid outlet will beopened, between the inner surface of the side wall and the free edge 21,allowing liquid contents of the cup-shaped container 2 to flow throughthe liquid outlet, between the inner wall surface and the free edge 21and over the raised rim portion 6 as the drinking vessel 1 is tilted.

The closure flap 19 can be selectively opened by actuation of theoperating handle 7. As previously explained, by pressing the main limb 8of the operating handle 7 inwardly relative to the body of thecup-shaped container 2, the support part 17 of the lid 3 is caused tolift or deflect upwardly. This upwards movement of the support part 17causes the radius of curvature of the living hinge 20 to alter, thetendency of this being to deflect or move the closure flap 19 downwardlyso that its free edge 21 moves away from the inner wall surface againstwhich it is initially sealingly engaged (as illustrated in FIG. 5). Thisoperation of the handle 7, therefore opens up the liquid outlet definedbetween the closure flap 19 and the inner wall surface of the lid 3.

Releasing the inwards pressure on the operating handle 7, removes thelifting force applied to the central region of the support part 17 andtherefore, the support part 17 and its associated closure flap 19 bothreturn to their original conditions by virtue of their inherentresiliency, thereby returning the closure flap 19 to its closed positionin which the liquid outlet is substantially scaled by virtue of thesealing engagement between the free edge 21 and the inner wall surfaceof the lid 3.

It should therefore be understood that the support part 17, and the lid3 effectively comprise a mechanism configured to move or deflect theflap 19 against its inherent bias, to open an outlet and to permit theflow of liquid (or in other variants, any convenient flowable contents)therethrough.

However, it is also envisaged that the closure flap 19 could be actuatedsimply by squeezing together diametrically opposed regions of thesidewall of the cup-shaped container 2 in the regions spaced generallyvertically below the two ends of the arcuate living hinge 20 (asillustrated by arrows A in FIGS. I and 2). Because of the engagement ofthe skirt 4 of the lid and the uppermost edge of the cup-shapedcontainer 2, the deflection of the sidewalls of the container 2 createdby squeezing in this manner is also imparted to the raisedcircumferential rim 5 of the lid, with the result that the arcuateliving hinge 20 is deflected such that the closure flap 19 is againmoved or deflected downwardly to release its seal against the inner wallsurface. The inwardly deformable sidewalls of the container 2, and thesupport part 17 of the lid can also therefore be considered to representa mechanism configured to move or deflect the flap 19 against itsinherent bias, to open a liquid outlet and to permit the flow of liquidtherethrough.

In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the effectiveness ofthe seal between the free edge 21 of the closure flap 19 and the innerwall surface of the lid 3 may be improved by providing the inner wallsurface and/or the free edge 21 with a soft, elastorneric-type materialsuch as, for example, Evoprene (™). Also, it is envisaged that theeffectiveness of the seal could be further or alternatively improved byproviding a small inwardly-directed formation such as a lip or ridgearound the innermost wall surface of the lid 3 against which theuppermost part of the free edge 21 of the closure flap 19 can engage.

In any event, as clearly illustrated in FIG. 1, the closure flap 19extends downwardly from the living hinge 20 and so should the drinkingvessel 1 become upturned for any reason, then the pressure of the liquidcontents of the drinking vessel acting against the undersurface of theclosure flap 19 will serve to tighten the seal between the closure flap19 and the inner wall surface of the lid 3.

Turning now to consider FIGS. 6 through to 10, an alternative embodimentof the present invention will be described. However, it should beappreciated that the embodiments illustrated in FIGS. 6 to 10 arelargely identical to the embodiment described with reference to FIGS. 1to 5, the main difference being simply the mechanism configured to moveor deflect the closure flap. In particular, it should be appreciatedthat the embodiments of FIG. 6 to 10 again comprise a generallycup-shaped container 2 and lid 3 of largely identical form to thoseillustrated and described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 5. The lid 3 isagain provided a similar support part 17 and closure flap 19, theconfiguration of each being substantially identical to those illustratedin FIGS. 1 to 5. However, as will be readily apparent from FIG. 6, theoperating handle 7 of the previously-described embodiment is replaced byan alternative configuration of handle-operated mechanism.

As illustrated in FIG. 6, in this embodiment, a handle assembly 30 isprovided which extends substantially transversely across the lid 3, andhas two handle arms 31 which extend generally downwardly adjacentopposed sides of the cup-shaped container 2,

As illustrated most clearly in FIG. 6, the handle assembly 30 has twomain parts 32, 34 arranged substantially adjacent one another, butseparated across almost their entire extent, apart from in the region ofthe lowermost ends of the handle arms 8. However, as illustrated, thetwo main parts 34, 32 are separated by a thin flexible membrane or web33.

The handle assembly 30 is preferably moulded from resiliently deformableplastics material and hence one part 34 of the handle assembly 30 ismoveable towards the other part 32, against a bias provided by theinherent resiliency of the plastic material.

The part 32 of the handle assembly 30 is secured to the uppermost partof the support part 17 of the lid 3 by virtue of a pair of fastenersindicated generally at 35. This part 32 of the handle assembly 30 istherefore fixed with respect to the lid 3. The fasteners may be attachedto the part 32 of the handle assembly 30, for instance by welding, ormay alternatively be formed integrally therewith.

However, the other part 34 of the handle assembly 30 is moveable withrespect to the lid 3, and is provided, in its central region, with anelongate slot 36 which is configured to slidingly receive a spigot 37projecting upwardly from the support part 17, in the region of theliving hinge 20. The moveable part 34 of the handle assembly 30 cantherefore be moved towards the fixed part 32 of the handle assembly 30,against the inherent resilient bias of the handle assembly 30, such thatthe spigot 37 slides within the elongate slot 36. The slot has a lengthsuch that, as the moveable part 34 of the handle assembly 30 is movedtowards the fixed part 32, there will come an instant in time when theupstanding spigot 37 becomes engaged with the end of the slot 36,whereafter further movement of the moveable part 34 of the handleassembly towards the fixed part 32, will cause the spigot 37 itself tobe deflected towards the fixed part 32 of the handle assembly 30. Thisdeflection of the upstanding spigot 37 causes the resiliently-deformablesupport part 17 of the lid 3 also to deform, so that the radius ofcurvature of the living hinge 20 is increased which, in a substantiallyidentical manner to that of the previous embodiment, causes the closureflap 19 to deform downwardly, so that its free edge 21 moves away fromthe inner wall surface of the lid 3 against which it was initiallysealed, by opening up the liquid outlet between the free edge 21 and theinner wall surface.

When it is desired subsequently to re-close the liquid aperture, aperson drinking from the drinking vessel simply needs to release thepressure previously applied to both handle arms 31 to move the moveablepart 34 of the handle assembly 30 towards the fixed part 32. When thispressure is released, the inherent resiliency of the handle assembly 30,and the support part 17, causes the spigot 37 to return to its initialposition, thereby returning the arcuate living hinge 20 to its initialradius of curvature and hence re-sealing the liquid outlet.

Because the slot 36 is sized so as to allow an initial degree ofmovement of the moveable part 34 of the handle assembly 30 towards thefixed part 32 without causing the spigot 37 also to move, the openingmechanism of this embodiment ensures that a person, for example, a smallchild or infant, grasping only one handle arm 31, and urging themoveable part 34 of that handle arm towards the fixed part 32 will beunsuccessful in deflecting the spigot 37, and hence will not open theliquid outlet. Only when the moveable parts 34 of both handle arms 31are moved towards their respective fixed parts 32, will the slot 36 bemoved sufficiently for its end to engage the spigot 37, to therebydeflect the spigot 37, distort the arcuate hinge 20, and open the liquidaperture. This safety feature serves to prevent inadvertent opening ofthe liquid aperture as an infant child carries the drinking vessel 1 bysimply grasping tightly a single handle arm 31. The arrangement isconfigured only to open the liquid aperture when both handle arms aregrasped as the child safely drinks from the drinking vessel in acontrolled manner.

It is envisaged that the embodiment described above with reference toFIGS. 6 to 9, could be modified slightly, by providing aforwardly-extending flange 38 carried by the central moveable part 34 ofthe handle assembly 30. This modification is illustrated schematicallyin side view in FIG. 10, from which it will be seen that the forwardmostpart of the flange 38 carries a downwardly-depending bearing surface 39.As the central moveable part 34 of the handle assembly 30 is movedtowards the fixed part 32 during actuation of the handle assembly 30, itwill be understood that the bearing surface 39 is therefore caused tomove towards the closure flap 19 as indicated by arrow 40, and so thedownwardly-depending bearing surface 39 will be caused to bear againstthe outermost surface of the closure flap 19, and to deflect the closureflap 19 downwardly so that its free edge 21 moves away from its sealingengagement with the inner wall surface of the lid. This feature could beprovided in addition to the spigot 37, or, if preferred, as analternative means to open the closure flap 19, without relying uponforced distortion of the radius of curvature of the arcuate living hinge20.

A further possible modification of the embodiment of FIGS. 6 to 9involves providing the support part 17 as a separate component from theskirt 4. It is envisaged that the support part 17 could, for example, beconfigured so as to be releasably engageable, around its arcuateperiphery, with the skirt 4 of the lid. The skirt 4 and support part 17in such an arrangement must be engageable in a liquid-tight manner andto remain in intimate contact with one another.

It is to be appreciated, that whilst the specific embodiments have beendescribed in detail with reference to particular features, certainmodifications could be made without departing from the scope of theclaimed invention. For example, whilst, in each of the above-describedembodiments, the raised rim or rim portion from which a person isintended to drink from the drinking vessel is formed as part of the lid3, the circumferential rim or rim portion could, instead, be formed aspart of the cup-shaped container 2. In this sort of arrangement, it isalso envisaged that the free edge 21 of the closure flap 19 couldsealingly engage against an inner wall surface of the side wall of thecup-shaped container 2, rather than against an inner wall surfacecarried by the lid 3 itself Furthermore, it is also envisaged that thelid 3 could alternatively be formed integrally with the cup-shapedcontainer, to permanently close the otherwise open-mouth of thecup-shaped container. Such an arrangement would be particularly suitablefor use as part of a single use, disposable drinking vessel which wouldbe particularly attractive for use in the fast food industry.

As regards the materials from which the drinking vessel of the inventioncould be manufactured, it should be appreciated that a large variety ofdifferent materials could be used. For example, a drinking vessel inaccordance with the present invention intended for use by youngchildren, or elderly adults, could be moulded from robust plasticsmaterials, However, the drinking vessel could, alternatively, be madefrom polystyrene, or paper materials which would make the arrangementparticularly attractive for use in the fast food industry, where thedrinking vessel would need to be readily disposable and recyclable,

In each of the above-mentioned embodiments., it should be appreciatedthat the outlet which opens as the free edge 21 of the closure flap 19moves out of the sealing engagement with its associated inner wallsurface, is relatively large when compared to the re-sealable liquidoutlet apertures of known products such as a child's trainer cup. Thisallows the drinking vessel of the present invention to be usedsuccessfully with hot drinking liquids, as the relatively wide openingallows steam and aroma to escape, thus providing a person drinking fromthe drinking vessel with a full sense of appreciation of both theflavour and temperature of the contents. It has also been found that theincreased size of the re-sealable liquid outlet allows the drinkingvessel to be used with fizzy or carbonated drinks so that pressurebuild-up within the sealed drinking vessel can be safely released,without the tendency to spurt, which can be a problem with conventionalre-sealable trainer cups where the valved outlet aperture is only verysmall.

However, it may also be desirable for certain applications to limit thesize of the crescent-shaped aperture of the outlet. This could be done,for example, by providing a flexible gusset between the free edge 21 ofthe closure flap and its associated wall surface, the gusset beingprovided with a relatively small aperture to allow the out-flow offlowable contents from the vessel.

It is also envisaged that in each of the embodiments described above, amouthpiece or spout could be provided above the position where the freeedge of the closure flap seals against the associated inner wallsurface. In such an arrangement, the mouthpiece or spout would definethe rim or rim portion of the dispensing vessel.

It may also, in some circumstances, be appropriate to provide theclosure flap 19 in a form made from highly flexible material, reinforcedwith a more rigid skeleton-type structure, comprising, for example, aplurality of strengthening ribs or the like.

In the present specification “comprises” means “includes or consists of”and “comprising” means “including or consisting of”.

The features disclosed in the foregoing description, or the followingclaims, or the accompanying drawings, expressed in their specific formsor in terms of a means for performing the disclosed function, or amethod or process for attaining the disclosed result, as appropriate,may, separately, or in any combination of such features, be utilised forrealising the invention in diverse forms thereof,

1. A dispensing vessel, comprising: an open-mouthed container; a lid forthe open mouth of said container; and a rim or a rim-portion; the lid atleast partially defining an outlet arranged below the level of the rimor rim-portion to allow contents of the vessel to flow from the interiorof the container and over the rim or rim-portion as the vessel istilted; the lid having a support part extending partially across theopen-mouth of the container and a closure flap hingedly connected to thesupport part across at least part of the open-mouth of the cup-shapedcontainer, the closure flap being biased towards a closed position inwhich the closure flap closes the outlet to prevent flow of saidcontents therethrough; and a mechanism configured to move or deflect theclosure flap against said bias to open said outlet and permit the flowof said contents therethrough.
 2. A dispensing vessel according to claim1, wherein said closure flap has a free edge and is arranged such thatwhen in said closed position, the closure flap extends from said supportpart to a position below the level of the rim or rim-portion where thefree edge releasably seals against an inner wall-surface of thecontainer or of the lid to prevent the flow of contents between theinner wall-surface and the closure flap; and wherein said mechanism isconfigured to move or deflect the closure flap from said closed positionsuch that its free edge becomes released from its seal against saidinner wall-surface, so as to permit contents to flow from the interiorof the container, between said inner wall-surface and the closure flap,and over the rim or rim-portion as the dispensing vessel is tilted.
 3. Adispensing vessel according to claim 2, wherein said inner wall-surfaceis provided with an inwardly directed formation against which said freeedge of the closure flap seals.
 4. A dispensing vessel according toclaim 3, wherein said free edge is substantially arcuate.
 5. Adispensing vessel according to claim 2 wherein said free edge isgenerally dished in configuration.
 6. A dispensing vessel according toclaim 1 wherein the closure flap hinged connection comprises one of afold or a crease or a living hinge extending generally diametricallyacross the open-mouth of the container.
 7. A dispensing vessel accordingto claim 2, wherein the outlet is defined between the lid and thecontainer.
 8. A dispensing vessel according to claim 7 wherein theoutlet is defined between the free edge of the closure flap and theinner wall-surface of a sidewall of the container.
 9. A dispensingvessel according to claim 1, wherein the rim or rim-portion has a raisedcircumference.
 10. A dispensing vessel according to claim 9 wherein theraised circumferential rim or rim-portion is provided on the lid.
 11. Adispensing vessel according to claim 1, wherein the lid is removablefrom the container.
 12. A dispensing vessel according to claim 1 whereinthe lid is formed integrally with the container.
 13. A dispensing vesselaccording to claim 1, wherein the mechanism comprises at least onemoveable element arranged for actuation by the hand of a persondispensing contents from the vessel.
 14. A dispensing vessel accordingto claim 13, wherein said moveable element forms part of a handle.
 15. Adispensing vessel according to claim 14, wherein the handle is pivotallymounted to the lid or container.
 16. A dispensing vessel according toclaim 13, wherein said moveable element comprises part of the containerbeing resiliently deformable, the arrangement being such that deformingsaid part of the container causes movement or deflection of said closureflap.
 17. A drinking vessel according to claim 6 wherein the mechanismcomprises at least one moveable element arranged for actuation by thehand of a person dispensing contents from the vessel, and whereinactuation of the or each moveable element causes deflection ordistortion of said fold or living hinge which, in turn, imparts saidmovement or deflection on said closure flap.
 18. A dispensing vesselaccording to claim 1 having said rim-portion provided as part of a spoutor mouthpiece.
 19. A dispensing vessel according to claim 1 wherein thedispensing vessel comprises a drinking vessel, adapted to dispenseliquid contents of the vessel as it is tilted.
 20. (canceled)